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Sports Goulash

Odds and ends of Wyoming high school sports.

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Week 3 Humble Pie: Count von Count, bad brakes and an emotional conundrum

Posted by: Patrick Schmiedt on September 20, 2008 at 2:21AM EST

Repeat these words with me: "This is not a surprise."

Because that's what this week's Humble Pie is all about.

Sheridan, Gillette, Glenrock, et. al. Even though I picked against them, seeing them win on Friday night was not all that surprising, to be honest.

So let's check out Week 3 in a bit more depth....

First mad props to Sheridan, which knocked off Natrona County 10-9. In talking with Sheridan coach Don Julian this week, he said this was a big game for his program -- and this victory is just what Julian and the Broncs needed to let everyone know that their program is back. But, say it with me, "This is not a surprise." Sheridan is a much-improved team and Natrona definitely had respect for the Broncs and what they could do. Now, maybe everyone else will, too.

Second mad props go to Gillette, 14-13 winners over top-ranked Green River at home. Tyler Juby's blocked extra point in the fourth quarter was the difference in this one. This was arguably the biggest game of the season thus far, and, say it with me, "This is not a surprise." Make no mistake about it: Gillette is good. And this loss only helps further prove 5A's growing parity this season.

Third mad props to Glenrock, which knocked off 4A's top-ranked team, Buffalo. Once again, an extra-point attempt was the difference, as the Herders stopped the Bison on a 2-point conversion attempt in the final minute. But say it with me, "This is not a surprise." These two teams battled tooth-and-nail last season, so it really wasn't all that surprising to see that be the case again this season. And it wasn't too eye-popping to see Glenrock come out on top.

Fourth mad props to Shoshoni, which topped Normative Services 14-6. There was a little bit more of a surprise in this one only because of the final score -- I really thought this could be one of those high-scoring shootout-type games, which is why I picked NSI to win it. But it wasn't. At least according to the final score, it was more of a grind-it-out, defensive affair. And, say it with me, "This is not a surprise." Since the game ended up being a defensive struggle, it was not at all surprising to see the Wranglers pull this one out.

Fifth mad props to Sundance, which held on to its home-field advantage in its victory over Saratoga. Must've been the bus lag, which is the same affliction that tripped up Sundance last year in its loss to Saratoga on the Panthers' home field. Therefore, say it with me, "This is not a surprise." I think if you play this game tomorrow in Saratoga, the Panthers win it. But the game was in Sundance on Friday, and the Bulldogs won it -- and that's really all that counts.

Sixth mad props to Laramie, which came up Casper way and beat KW 24-16. It was only a matter of time before the Plainsmen's double-wing offense finally got rolling, and it just so happened that they did so against the Trojans. And once that offense gets rolling, it's hard to stop. So, say it with me, "This is not a surprise." The Plainsmen's breakthrough was simply a matter of when, not if. "When" just happened to be Week 3 in Casper. Now everyone else in 5A had better pay attention.

Seventh mad props to Gering, Neb., for beating Wheatland in OT.

Now, some other stuff:

As noted above, this was a big night for extra points. In addition to Glenrock and Gillette, NC also missed one and lost by a single point to Sheridan. And Worland stopped Lander on a 2-point conversion attempt in the fourth quarter to win by one. And Wheatland failed to convert its extra-point attempt against Gering and ended up losing in overtime.

Also, a quick tip of the hat to the guys up in Dubois. The Rams lost a team member Wendesday when senior Delbert Madrid died in a car accident. The Rams decided to play their scheduled game against Wind River anyway and, although the Rams lost and the final score was too much to not enough, simply stepping on the field and getting out there and competing with that heavy heart is worthy of congratulations. (I'd love to be able to tell you more, but I couldn't get a hold of anyone in Dubois and Wind River didn't call in any information about this game. Sorry.)

One last thought: I got to see the Hanna-Hulett game today in Casper. The game itself was not much of a contest, but how it got to 63-0 is nearly unexplainable. I've never really seen a game like that and I'm still a bit confused emotionally.

The closest I ever came to something like that was a game I played in during my junior year of high school. We led 31-0 after one quarter and something like 43-0 at halftime. I remember at halftime, our coaches told us if we broke into the clear and had an obvious touchdown awaiting us, we weren't supposed to take it -- we were supposed to hit the ground, get out of bounds, whatever, just don't score.

I got to thinking about that again today watching this game. If you're a coach up 40-something to nothing at halftime, do you tell your players to avoid scoring more points? Do you chew out a kid who scores a touchdown anyway? Do you chew out your quarterback when he audibles at the line of scrimmage, and the play turns into an all-too-easy touchdown? If you've got a shutout going, do you continue to play to defend it (i.e. blitzes, first-team players, etc.)? I'm not trying to single anyone out here, or put anyone out or make anyone feel bad about what transpired on Friday; I'm genuinely curious to see what people think about how you define sportsmanship in a game that's a blowout, because I ran into a few different perspectives on Friday. Is sportsmanship keeping the score as low as possible once you know the outcome isn't in question, or is it continuing to play as hard as you can, even if it means that every once in a while you're piling on more points?

If you can, please try to keep your comments general and don't direct them toward any specific players or coaches; I'd really appreciate it.

And mad props to The Blitz. Check it out.

This week: 22-8 (73 percent). This year: 75-32 (70 percent).

Posted by patrick.schmiedt@trib.com

Send This | Categories: Football

(53) Comments

Posted by: Ted 2A fan on September 20, 2008 10:58PM EST

We just got our butt kicked by Kemmerer 51-6. I felt couch
Rogers handled it very well. They took the game to the 45 points and got a running clock. After that they subbed freely. We had several injuries and had to play the game
with a freshman QB and as many as 6 freshman playing at one time. As far as what to do in this situation it's hard to say. Kemmerer is going for a title this year and it would be hard to explain why your starting QB was injured in a game that you were ahead by 50 and he was still in there.
On the other hand the seniors on your team most will never wear pads again and should be able to play as much as possible. Still you have to look at next year and get them ready to. I know I did not answer anything
but these are the questions that need to be asked.

Posted by: mike on September 20, 2008 11:07PM EST

I think it's pretty simple. If you're up that big, especially in 11 man football, you put your third stringers in to start and play the entire second half. if they score running the normal offense against the first stringers of the other aquad so be it. However, I think a classy coach would call dives and counters and simple running plays that are typically not broken for big yardage and touchdowns. Anyone in coaching knows that the cycle will eventually render you the team in the locker room down 40 to nothing. When you're in those shoes, you want the coach on the other side to handle himself with class. In 9 8 man or 6 man, scoring is often easier and so therefore maybe a dive or counter goes for a touchdown. In 11 man, those should be fairly simple to stop. I equate it with the basketball team up 20 that continues to press and leaves the starting lineup. Kicking a dog when they are down teaches kids nothing and doesn't reflect well on the coach, the school, or the players. Just my two cents.

Posted by: Chris Gray on September 21, 2008 12:04AM EST

Hey guys, I'm back! Golfing season is winding down, so here I am. I thought this topic a very good one, as I remember being on the short end several times during my playing career. To me, it would much more embarassing to see a player run out of bounds, or go down on purpose for the "sake of the losing team". In competitive sports, that is the name of the game. I remember losing to Wheatland 66-6 my junior year, but not once blaming the Bulldogs for running it up.
Ok, I can see myself starting to go off on several tangents here, so I will try to finish this up with this; as soon as a kid hears that the other team is at fault for running it up, they know that excuses for getting whipped are alright-and that can carry on into their adult life, as we all know folks like that I'm sure. As far as the opposing coach running it up, who's to say the team that is down by 20 with 6 minutes, 36 seconds left in the fourth won't come roaring back to win a championship?!? Hey, how 'bout them Dogies?!!!?!

Posted by: Patrick Schmiedt on September 21, 2008 1:01AM EST

Another quick thought: What about a change to the mercy rule? Instead of a running clock at a 45-point advantage, what if the game just ends at that point when the 45-point advantage is reached (any time after halftime)? I know that's the rule in Idaho... Would it be better for games to just end at 45? What's the advantage of a running clock in that situation as opposed to ending the game?

Also, for those that were/are coaches... What do you do when you're up by 50, you call a dive play, and instead of running the play, your quarterback audibles to a slant pass for a TD?

--patrick

Posted by: rangerfan on September 21, 2008 9:46AM EST

Ted, I was at the game. Henkle (starting qb) did not touch the field in the second half. I can imagine it is hard as a coach to decide what to do when you are up that big. I thought coach rogers did a good job keeping the situation in as much control as possible. I was dissapointed (I'm sure Riverside was too) that their starting qb couldn't play. He is a heck of an athlete who has given kemmerer some fits over the last few years. He definitely would have made a difference in the game. I hope riverside gets those starters back soon and continues to build on what is a good football program this year.

Posted by: Ted 2A fan on September 21, 2008 10:24AM EST

ranger fan, Your players and coachs are a class act and they ate all together after the game and everything is cool. I think as far as what to do, if you score with 6 min left in the game so be it. If you score with 6 seconds that is poor sportsmanship. I have seen teams call a time out to get a final score in. As far as stopping the game, I feel you need to finish the game unless injuries and cheap shots are getting out of hand.

Posted by: BeenThere on September 21, 2008 11:21AM EST

As a former player and coach, this is a great question. As a player, you know when you are completely overmatched and if the score starts to get out of hand, there isn't a sentiment of having the score run up. The other team just is flat out better. Kids just play the game through. Coaches have had the tenancy to take this situation much more personally. In my opinion, my job is to prepare kids to be successful and perform at their highest level. If the game is out of reach, subs should be made but there is still an expectation to see those players execute as well. In what other situation would the player be asked to take a knee or not score? If the subs run the play right, it should score, that's the point. It's not my job to stop my team, that falls to the other coach. If the third stringers can score on the opposing starters, there's bigger problems than the other team 'running it up'. Just don't call timeouts to get that last score and keep the clock running after 45 points. Always finish the game. The Idaho rule is very odd. Great question, Patrick. Looking forward to more responses.

Posted by: RangerFan on September 21, 2008 12:27PM EST

The Kemmerer-Riverside game was the first I had been at with the mercy rule (running clock). I think it works out pretty well, as the game went much quicker, the back-ups get valuable playing time, and the team that is losing badly gets valuable playing time also. To just call the game at 45 pts would deny a lot of kids playing time that would help them in the future. In almost every situation, the starters of the losing team will be able to play with the backups of the other team. I wanted to thank Riverside for feeding our boys after a very long trip. What a great place you have to play football, gracious fans and playing under the lights was great.

Posted by: wrestlingfan167 on September 21, 2008 2:29PM EST

I agree with RangerFan that calling the game would prevent a lot of kids from playing. This is a great time for the JV players to get some experience in a varsity setting and get them prepared for the next season. It also gives that team that is behind a chance to play against players who are more on their level and let them enjoy some success as well.

Posted by: Ranea on September 21, 2008 3:25PM EST

Wrestlingfan167 I totally agree with you.!

Posted by: Stacey Bluemel on September 21, 2008 7:06PM EST

Back in the late 70's, early 80's Wyoming had the game ending rule Patrick is talking about. During a game in Cokeville in 1980 they scored their 45th point on the first play of the 4th quarter. Game over. I always will wonder what might have happened if we could have finished that game. I think the way it is now should stand.

Posted by: Cory on September 21, 2008 11:31PM EST

Lots of really good points here, great topic. i'ts hard for a coach to tell his players to not play hard in a blowout, cause as they will all say "that's when you're more likely to get njured".
Also, the JV and younger kids on the sideline can sense a rout coming and start getting antsy, since their chances of playing go up.

Posted by: murrykins on September 22, 2008 10:57AM EST

well. what would you do with this one. Your team is up 26 to 8 in the fourth. the coach on the other side is screaming at you that you should have a little class and stop throwing the ball, all the while he has two kids that are cheap shotting as soon as they see the ref turn his back, and I mean blatently. Also we only had about 16 kids out that year and by then they were all tired so what do you do? Sometimes sportsmanship is a hard thing to do.

Posted by: coach247 on September 22, 2008 12:09PM EST

I think you put your subs in and continue to run your offense. You can stick with basic runnng plays but on passing downs, if your offense calls for a pass, you pass. No reverses or trick plays needed. But how do you tell your subs, who grind it out in practice alongside your staters, infact are the scout team most of the time, not to play hard and run the offense?

Posted by: fishmaster on September 22, 2008 1:07PM EST

I have been on both sides of this as a player and as a coach in both FB & BB. It is difficult to deal with - more so as the winning team.
Montana has a 35 point rule (instead of 45) where the clock runs in the 2nd half. Usually 35 is plenty of a cushion to have the game in hand. That is a thought. As a coach - on either side - it is extremely difficult to know how to handle it. On the losing side, you just try to get through and get no one hurt, regroup and move on to the next one. On the winning side, it is more difficult. You want to keep your kids "sharp" and not build bad habits for down the road, but you don't want to expose them to a frustrated team on the other side. Also, as many of you have said, the shoe will be (and almost always is) on the other foot someday. I think the best way to do it is to sub freely, work on doing the basics right - running the ball in football, running the offense in bball - and hope that clock runs in a hurry! It isn't a happy time for too many involved, but is sometimes difficult to avoid.
Stopping the game at 45 points is a bad option in our state especially. I know that I woudn't want to go on a 4 hour bus trip to play for under 1 hour and head home 4 hours. Nothing is gained there.

Posted by: cameldad on September 22, 2008 1:11PM EST

I think you play all your subs. This is their chance to show what they have learned by grinding it out in practice. The subs should run the offense and score when they can. These kids deserve a chance to create some high school football memories.

Posted by: Mick on September 22, 2008 3:43PM EST

You may not ask your team to not score but you shouldn't on-side kick after every score like Lyman did in 2004 against TR. Even up by 60 and they on-side kick? No Question that Lyman was a better, and more experienced team but I still have the video that showed what little class Mike Walk had (has). After all these years stuff like that still sticks in a person's craw. I am sure he was awfully proud of himself. I do wish him well though in his assistant coaching position in Utah. 0 and 5. Rebuilding year probably. Coaches need to remember its about the kids and not just how many points can a team score. Maybe he has learned his lesson after all that he has gone through.

Posted by: GoOrange on September 22, 2008 11:31PM EST

Kids that are playing should always be told to give 100%. But, coaches should make sure its all off-tackle, all of the play clock is used, subs are in the game, punt on every 4th down... We've all seen teams run reverses up 28 with a few minutes left in the game (last Friday night somewhere in NW Wyoming). In football, it's easy to tell whether sportsmanship is in the vocabulary. Lastly, if there is ever any rule that favors a team piling it on for standings, seeding, etc., that rule should be eliminated.

As for the QB that audibles as you say, he gets a loud, very public butt-chewing, in front of the cheerleaders and his grand parents, and he is running the rest of the night in front of everyone until he pukes... And if he called the audible on the last play, he runs until dawn.

I would rather play the game until completion w/ a running clock than stop it...

Posted by: Lester Fatheree on September 23, 2008 12:02AM EST

In general, I feel, when the game is no longer in doubt you rest your starters and keep them healthy, you play your back-ups and get them some experience, and you deal with what comes. You only re-insert your starters if the game is threatening to become a game again.
You never ask a kid or a team to go on the field or court and play at half effort. That is how you get someone hurt, plus you aren't teaching them anything that will help them or your team.

Posted by: a1fan on September 23, 2008 1:06AM EST

What do you do if your subbing freely and some of your seniors have never scored a touchdown in their
highscholl carreer?Most small schools don't the luxery of a large number of subs and then add a few injuries and ineligblities, the number dewindles even more.When your line has all the subs it can adsorb,your backfield has freshman moving the ball very well and add a few more mistakes buy the oppsing team points can add up quickly I don't believe most couches "pile on"intentionly some do I realise but stoping a scoring frensy can be a difficult proposition.I don't have any answers as to how to stop these things but maybe a little understanding about how they occur might be helpful in preventing the hard feelings after the game.But reast asured the opposing coach will use the blowout to get his team up the next time they meet

Posted by: dude on September 23, 2008 10:20AM EST

here's a question? why run passing plays when up 40 to zip? why start your first stringers in second half when up 40 to zip?

I have seen this on more than one occasion....especially from a former NW wyo coach no longer coaching in wyo....

Posted by: Mike Walk on September 23, 2008 10:50AM EST

Mick,
you just had to go there again didn't you. You need to watch your film again if you really have one. We didn't onside kick every time in that game. We squib kicked it every time just like we had done all year....not because we wanted the ball but because we didn't have a kicker that could kick deep. We onsided it early in the game and never got it. You can ask any coach on our staff....the one we got in the fourth quarter just went off the side of the kids foot. We had freshmen that played in the second quarter of that game and we had jv players in most of the second half. If I had it to do over I would probably take a knee just so I don't have to hear this every year. The fact is that we ran the same two plays the entire game....an inside off-tackle pitch and wedge. As for us being 0-5....we are actually 1-4 with two losses against much bigger teams. Not making excuses, but yes it's a rebuilding year. I'm not the head coach, just the offensive coordinator. We average 386.4 yards a game which isn't quite where we want to be but it is the first year of a new offense. Mick, I don't know who you are, but I'm easy to find if you ever want to talk about this in person.

Posted by: Wolverine73 on September 23, 2008 11:03AM EST

Unfortunately, at all levels of sports you are going to have games like this. I do like the running clock rule and don't think a game should be stopped just because one team is up by 45. Typically what I see in games like this is some coaches will bring in their JV kids at that point and the team that is down will leave their starters in for several series or another quarter. In most cases, their starters will begin to move the ball and/or finally slow down or stop the other teams offense. It usually gives the starters some success against the superior team and somewhat softens the blow to their confidence; then the coach should sit his starters for his JV, to not only prevent injuries, but to give his future players some game experience.

Posted by: Mike Walk on September 23, 2008 11:49AM EST

I don't know how I end up in these conversations after 4 years, but I guess I can't just let it go now. You know Mick I've been on both ends of this as well. The difference is that I let it go and didn't keep bringing it up. Coach Simpson in Lander beat us 68-6 and threw late in the 4th quarter and no we didn't like it, but it wasn't Coach Simpsons fault. He prepared his kids to go to battle. Should we have expected anything less of them. I was impressed with how prepared he had his kids. He wasn't getting paid to build my program....that was my job. I had some coaches on my staff wine and complain some, but we put an end to that. Games like that happen. I remember watching a Lyman vs. Mt. View game a couple of years before I started coaching when Mt. View beat Lyman 66-0. The people in Lyman were mad at Coach Dinnell because they faked a punt when they were up that far in the 4th quarter. Coach Dinnell said they were getting ready for the playoffs, and that was something they needed to work on and wanted to show the other teams they had in their arsenol. I don't think there was anything wrong with that. True we beat Tongue River by 65 points that day but I've seen plenty of scores in Wyoming that were 65 points or more. You don't think we could have beat them much worse than that. We had 50 at half time. Obviously we let up in the second half......get over it Mick.

Posted by: 3A on September 23, 2008 12:29PM EST

Mike Walk, Do you by chance think that Coach Simpson ran up the score on you because of occurances in which you had done the same to other opponents... I've heard it a million times that if you coach with class, then you'll get beat with class. It's pretty evident that you have rubbed plenty of people the wrong way in this state, and that your allies(if any) are smaller than your enemies.
.
And along the lines of coach Dinnell faking a punt up 66-0, I would say that is classless as well. the excuse that you want the other team to know that you have that in your arsenol is mularky! Why would he show all of his cards, and let opponents know exactly what he will do in a fake punt situation. Just don't make much sense...
.
Good Luck down there in Utah, and for Gods sake's stay down there and off of this!

Posted by: Mike Walk on September 23, 2008 12:54PM EST

3a....You're argument might make sense if the game with Lander wouldn't have happened the year before we scored a lot of points....and as far as you calling what Coach Dinnell did classless, I think your way off base. I can't think of another coach with more class both on and off the field. As far as that strategy being mularky....a lot of coaches believe in showing things even if they don't intend to use them. That makes the opponent use valuable practice time preparing for something they will probably never see. A lot of coaches don't worry much about showing all their cards. One of the most impressive things about Don Dinnell coached teams was their execution. Most people knew exactly what they were going to do coming into the game, but they were so good at it that you just couldn't stop it. He told me once, "you don't beat people by tricking them." Good advice I think.

Posted by: Kevin Williams on September 23, 2008 4:47PM EST

As a coach and player, I have been on both ends of it. As far as the mercy rule where the game is called off completely, I disagree with that. In a game in 1980 when I was an assistant coach, the score got to that "magic number" and the lights on the field were turned off before the post-game handshakes were over. I think it is much better to have a running clock and let the players on the short end of the scoreboard to say they finished what they started and just came up a little short rather than finish in a darkened stadium thinking no one wants to even see them. It is a tough situation to handle and I will admit that as a head coach, I never had to worry about piling it on, but was piled on many times (the reason I didn't stay a head coach, I'm sure). All I can think of is the quote from Jerry Glaville who said, "If you don't want the other team running up the score, stop them". It's how you handle situations like that that count, not what the other coach or the other team does.

Posted by: 3A on September 23, 2008 7:20PM EST

Mike, I wasn't call Coach Dinnell "classless" I called the act of the fake punt classless. And I agree with Kevin to the point of stopping them if you don't want the score piled up. Most coaches will throw in the 2nd/3rd stringers, and get them some valuable varsity experience. If they can't stop the scrubs then there is not reason to resort to bad habits and start taking plays off cause you feel bad. I think that goes against every principle coaches coach.
.
I don't however think that continuing the air assault or trickery is the way to do it. And no Mike I was not aware of the years in which the "piling on" incidents occurred, but I guess the ole' Golden Rule is something that I have been raised up with and will continue to exhibit in my own life and coachings.

Posted by: JA on September 23, 2008 7:26PM EST

I too totally disagree with cutting the game short due to the score. I played in a game my Junior year in which we were playing Lead, SD in the Prospector Bowl and were down 45 at half. The game got called, the 50/50 raffle took place after the game, and I felt more embarrassed than if we would've lost 65-0.

Posted by: tigerfan on September 24, 2008 12:53AM EST

hey well once again the lusk tigers are just kicking but, but we will see how the season goes

Posted by: Don Dinnel on September 24, 2008 9:05AM EST

Mike, we did not fake a punt. We had the rule, when we were playing our young kids in varsity games, that our special teams would remain the starters to avoid confusion. One of our very good linebackers blocked a punt up 66 - 0. I felt terrible and so did the rest of the coaching staff. But there was not a fake punt.

Posted by: Tim Gonzales( G) on September 24, 2008 10:14AM EST

Mike I have back up what coach just said , there would have never been a game when we would have faked a punt when we were up by 60, I know the people of Lyman would never believe that we would not run up the score.. never happened.

Posted by: Mike Walk on September 24, 2008 10:44AM EST

3a.....I'm not sure they were ever piling on incidents. I think they were just very good teams that scored a lot of points when there was a huge disparity in talent. I never thought Mt. View ran up the score on anyone. I've never had anything but respect for Mt. Views program and the staff there. Maybe I have my games confused and it wasn't the 66-0 game when the punt was faked....I don't know, I've watched a lot of them but there was a fake punt late in a game when Mt. View was up big because I remember the argument I got in with a specific Lyman fan over the incident. My point is that it wasn't a piling on incident. I completely understand keeping the varsity in on special teams to avoid confusion.

Posted by: Mike Walk on September 24, 2008 11:29AM EST

As far as the so called onside kick in the 4th quarter of the Tongue River game....I remeber every coach on our sideline cringing when the ball went off the side of the kids foot. We talked about it and knew then that nobody was going to believe us because we had been squibbing it the whole game (the whole season) and we had already onsided one in the first half. I'm not going to sit here and say that we didn't go into that game with the intention of scoring a lot of points but we didn't call an onside kick in the 4th quarter.

Posted by: Mick on September 24, 2008 1:21PM EST

Mike, The point I was making is that when a team and their coach runs the score up on another team, for whatever reason, that stays in a persons mind. TR vs Lyman is the one I am familiar with. It appears that some of the incidents you mentioned have stuck in your mind. The big difference is mine are factual and yours, according to Coaches Dinnel and Gonzales, are a figure of your imagination. As far as you being easy to find...Is that a threat? Come on coach. You are at it again at Monticello. Total of 38 points scored in your 4 losses (386.4 yds avg of offense = 9.5 pts a game?) but against little Mancos, CO you run it up 55-6. Oh well. It sounds like 3A knows of your reputation. Good luck in Utah. I mean that...Good luck against Layton Christian Academy

Posted by: Mike Walk on September 24, 2008 1:48PM EST

That's 18.6 on the season which I agree is pathetic.....but give it time. As far as tiny Mancos...how big do you think Monticello is? 288 grades 7 through 12 I think is the figure. That would average out at about 192 if you go 9 through 12 which I'm sure your used to. No excuses....I'm just saying we're a small school too....oh and by the way my Freshman son and his friends played about half the game. No....not a threat....I'd just really like to talk to you sometime...and thanks we will need all the help and luck we can get. We will show up and play hard.

Posted by: Mike Walk on September 24, 2008 2:07PM EST

And honestly Mick...those games with Mt. View hadn't crossed my mind in a long time until you brought up the Tongue River game. Ya, there were people in Lyman mad....even guys I coached with but I was never one of them and you can ask anyone that knows me about that. The losses that stick with me are the close ones. The playoff game we lost to Mt. View in 2000 after we had beat them in the regular season. The conference championship we lost to Mt. View in 99 that ruined our unbeaten season on the way to the state title. The game Coach Eskelson, Coach Roofs, and Coach Lear just flat outcoached me the week after the Tongue River game and beat us in the semi's even though we had beat them 48-27 earlier in the year. They beat us 17-7 in that game....what a game plan they came up with. Those are the games that "stay in my mind," not the throttlings we took. The ones that really meant something were the ones that hurt, not the ones we didn't have a chance in. Unfortunately I think I'm like most coaches and I always think we have a chance.

Posted by: Mike Walk on September 24, 2008 2:32PM EST

Manco's is 1a Colorado.....Between 126 and 256 enrollment....You had me curious.

Posted by: Chris Gray on September 24, 2008 10:40PM EST

Hey JA-good call, buddy! I remember those Lead teams then-awesome!! But, I am with you-rather get beat 77-0 than have someone feel sorry for you & stop the game. That's the equivalent of getting a "participation" medal in the 100 meters for finishing dead last in the slow heat! How's that bro of yours going to do at BH? We'll definitely try to make it to many of his games!Tell the fam "Hi", & we still have 8 months for that grad. card!
Hey Fish-watched the Torrington Newc. game the other night; looks like Long can run about a 41 second 300 right now! Already can't wait to see her this Spring! See you @ hoops!!

Posted by: Mick on September 25, 2008 10:34AM EST

Latest available figures are Mancos, CO 9-12, 114 students (61 male), Monticello, UT 9-12, 211 students. I too was curious.

Posted by: Mike Walk on September 25, 2008 11:27AM EST

Hey Mick.....Monticello is 206....Mancos 121, so your pretty close. I remember when I was in Lyman and we were around 200 we played the Landers, and Worlands of the world every year and we never complained about that because it made us better, and just so you know our other games this year were against schools with higher numbers than us......who cares. I don't know where you coach but I do know we have a couple of open weeks next year.

Posted by: Brady on September 25, 2008 12:51PM EST

Your arguing on here makes me thank my lucky stars that I never had you as a coach. Just embarrassing.

Posted by: eaglefan on September 25, 2008 1:10PM EST

Amen

Posted by: BroncFan on September 25, 2008 1:11PM EST

Bingo Brady!!!

Posted by: former4a on September 25, 2008 1:55PM EST

Wow, seems like every time we get a good discussion going here, people start these little kiddy wars with one another.

It is what it is, and no matter what style of running clock, mercy rule, kindness or class you have as a program GETTING SPANKED STINKS! I have been a coordinator on some teams that got waxed week in and week out. I remember a mtn view game where they ran 2 plays and beat us by 50+ 2 years in a row. We could not have stopped them if they took a knee every play, THEY WERE BETTER THAN US! Just get on the darn practice field and coach em up! Get in the weight room, go to clinics (but avoid vegas.) File it away, and use it as motivation.

I know staffs all around the state have wanted to run it up on the Landers, Buffalos and Lymans of the state, but don't because as we all know it is a new group of kids each year, and more often than not they were not an intrigual part of the whipping (running up of the score) and they can't move to get away from the program, their parents work in that town. Besides, people who run scores up in HS football have enough deep issues to deal with, maybe they can't help it they are who they are! Probably never played in games, and are bitter or something Freudian like that!

good luck this weekend, and stay healthy. Let's all hope for a bunch of 17-14 last second nail biters this weekend!

Posted by: GW on September 25, 2008 3:35PM EST

Lets talk about some positive subjects, Congrats to coach Julian and all his staff for the great job they are doing in Sheridan. They all put in a tremendous amount of hard work

Posted by: Mike Walk on September 25, 2008 3:41PM EST

Outstanding job in Sheridan just as he did in Riverton, and everyone knew he would get it done. Great job coach!! It will be fun to watch them make a run in the playoffs.

Posted by: former 4a on September 25, 2008 4:27PM EST

and have you seen that sweet new FOOTBALL/TRACK/soccer complex? WOW!

Nice Job Donny!!! But, we do miss u at UW!

Posted by: cameldad on September 25, 2008 6:06PM EST

The Gillette/Sheridan game could be as close as both of these teams games last week.

Posted by: HS Sports Fan on September 26, 2008 6:28PM EST

It is always nice to see some idiot get on blogs like this and really prove how stupid he is. I would think a coach from Utah would be spending his time planning and preparing for his next opponent instead of trash talking on here.

Posted by: eaglefan on September 27, 2008 10:05AM EST

Now you know why he is in Utah and not Wyoming anymore.

Posted by: wyoming fan on September 27, 2008 9:25PM EST

Mike, it sounds like you are not welcome here anymore. It is time to move on. Good Luck in Utah!

Posted by: CA on September 28, 2008 9:40AM EST

When I was in High School in a small southwestern town in South Dakota, we went to Morrill, Nebraska and they completely dominated us with only two plays (off-tackle right and off-tackle left). Their 2nd string was better than our first string. As I look back now, I feel bad for Morrill, because we really weren't even a good practice for them. I think Fishmaster had something to do with it too!